Arthritis is a source of chronic pain for many people. Most types of arthritis cannot be cured, and this leads many people in Tucson to explore alternative therapies and medicines to supplement their treatment plans. Following the doctor’s orders is always the right thing to do, and your doctor may suggest that massage can help you deal with the pain of your arthritis.
Massage is a complementary therapy, intended to be used in conjunction with other aspects of treatment. It’s the most common complementary therapy, with millions of adults seeking massage to ease their aches and pains. If your doctor approves, you’ll be able to experience the benefits of massage for yourself.
The Positive Impact Of Massage
Arthritis significantly impacts people attempting to perform routine tasks. Gripping small objects can be difficult for people with arthritis. Movement and range of motion are compromised by inflammation. Joints feel stiff and fixed in place. By manipulating the tissues and muscles surrounding these joints, people with arthritis may be able to feel a little more freedom of motion.
People with different types of arthritis may require different massage techniques and durations to achieve the results they need, but no matter the type of massage, the goal is to achieve the same end result.
During a massage, muscles and tissues are stimulated. The idea is to make them long and lean, stretching them out to release the tension they may hold. When muscles are stimulated in this way, they’re flushed full of new blood. Breathing deeply and relaxing during a massage heavily oxygenates the blood, supplying the tissue with what it needs to begin the healing process.
Arthritis is a chronic pain condition, and many people with chronic pain conditions will experience sadness from time to time. It’s difficult to live a full life when you feel too bogged down to move. Massage addresses some negative mental feelings as well as physical ones.
Massage encourages the production of neurohormones and endorphins. Serotonin is made more readily available during a massage, and this neurohormone helps to positively regulate emotions. Dopamine is a neurohormone that is connected to feelings of joy and fine motor control – not only does it make you feel better, but it may help you improve your grip if you experience arthritis in your hands.
Perhaps most importantly, a great massage will help you sleep. The reduction in stress hormones and production of happy hormones, combined with the relaxed state of the body, set the foundation for a great night’s rest. You’ll wake up feeling truly refreshed, and it should feel easier to move around in the morning.
In essence, massage is a valuable treatment for arthritis because it tends to the whole of a person, rather than each individual part. By aligning the mind and body (and in some cases, the spirit), people living with arthritis can see an improved quality of life. Regular treatments will continue to reinforce ideal outcomes achieved through massage therapy.
Can Everyone With Arthritis Get A Massage?
People with certain comorbidities (conditions that exist simultaneously with arthritis) may not be eligible candidates for massage. Individuals with severe osteoporosis, significant joint erosion or damage, people with high blood pressure, and people with a multitude of varicose veins may not be ideal candidates for massage.
If you feel you may not be an ideal candidate, talk to your doctor. Mild joint damage or slightly elevated blood pressure may not be significant enough to prevent massage. If severe joint damage only exists in one limb, that limb can be omitted from the massage. Your doctor will let you know if you’re clear to go and inform you of what you should tell your massage therapist when you book your appointment.
What If I’m Experiencing Painful Inflammation?
Inflammatory arthritis is at its most uncomfortable at the head of a flare up. During this time, massage will exacerbate that pain. While it’s normal for certain parts of a massage to be slightly uncomfortable as difficult muscles are being tended to, it’s not normal to feel as though you’re in unbearable pain.
It can be hard to predict when a flare up of inflammation will occur, which then in turn makes it hard to decide when to book a massage therapy appointment. Don’t wait until the pain starts to become more significant – an ideal massage will happen while you’re feeling relatively good. This massage should keep you feeling good and lessen the severity of any flareups you may experience in the near future.
Calm Your Arthritis With Us
If you’re living with arthritis and your doctor deems you to be a good candidate for massage therapy, we have just the place. At Greentoes in Tucson we strive to create a calm, relaxing, comfortable environment for people to find relief in. You can book an arthritis massage appointment on our website or by phone.